EDITORIAL: Flesher is best, only choice for PID

When Ridge voters head to the polls on Nov. 6, they'll see a "race" for the Paradise Irrigation District between incumbent Rick Hall and Doug Flesher. The choice is simple: Flesher. Part of the reason is that the incumbent, Hall, has pulled out of the race.

His decision not to run came after the ballot had already been sent off to the printer, so voters will see his name on the ballot. While Hall isn't running, Flesher would have been a compelling choice anyway. He's a longtime Paradisian, very knowledgeable about water and has very interesting ideas on how PID can protect its watershed, in addition to making it more fire-safe.

Flesher also will make meetings, which Hall's business opportunities in Nicaragua made difficult. The people within the 5th District deserve to have representation and it was spotty at best in recent years.

The absence of Hall made fellow PID director Bill Kellogg more than unhappy. He launched a one-man crusade to get Hall off the board if he wasn't going to show up. He even questioned whether Hall lived within the 5th district.

Hall's inability to make meetings was a detriment, not just because he failed to serve the voters, but his knowledge of the PID was of great value. The raising of water rates may not have happened had Hall attended the meeting. Despite Hall's recent attendance issues, he did serve the people of Paradise for 12 years and provided some good leadership during that time.

We thank him for his service, but like him, we endorse his "opponent" Doug Flesher to represent the 5th District on the Paradise Irrigation District's board of directors.